Burglars targetting semi-detached homes in Harrow (From Harrow Times)

Burglars targetting semi-detached homes in Harrow

3:00pm Monday 12th January 2009 in

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SEMI-DETACHED houses in Harrow are being targeted by burglars, police have warned.

Chief Inspector Louis Smith, in charge of intelligence at Harrow Police, says he believes criminals may see the homes as more accessible and the owners as more affluent.

His researchers uncovered statistics which suggest around 50 per cent of burglaries carried out so far this year were in semi-detached houses.

He said Kenton East and Cannons Park are the hotspots within the borough.

He said: “They are not a white hot glowing case of burglaries but in terms of where the burglaries are being committed in Harrow it's these areas.

“I know that people may not like me highlighting that their chances of burglary are increased but there are things they can do.”

He urged residents to secure paths leading to the back of their homes to stop criminals sneaking into the garden.

He said: “If you start thinking logically around it a terraced house is more secure because there's only the front and if you want to get to the back you've got to go through people's gardens.”

He also warned people with UPVC doors to make sure they are double locked, suggesting some burglars may be able to pick the basic lock with a coat hanger.

Burglars often steal car keys and police have asked residents to try and make sure they do not leave them lying around where they can be seen from outside.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the police cadets have been working to tackle the problem, and they will now focus resources on semi-detached houses.

Cadets have been going out to people's homes selling timer switches for lamps, which turn them on and off automatically when residents are out of the house to give the impression someone is home.

Officers visit victims of burglary to give advice on how to stop the crime happening again, and handing out special coat hangers to put on the back of front doors to remind them to lock up.

Chief Inspector Smith said he hoped they would create a talking point among friends visiting each other's houses, spreading the message to residents.

Chief Inspector Smith's advice is:

• Get a burglar alarm
• Secure the side of your house
• Install timer lights on lamps
• Make sure UPVC doors are securely locked
• Keep car keys out of sight
• If possible keep your car locked up in a garage